Lake George Howard Johnson’s Among Nation’s Last
By Mirror Staff
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Lake George, owned and operated by the DeSantis family since 1953, is now one of only three restaurants in the entire country bearing that name.
At the height of the chain’s popularity, more than 1000 restaurants lured travelers from the highways with the brand’s distinctive orange and blue colors.
The closing of Connecticut’s last Howard Johnson’s was announced last year . Howard Johnson’s restaurants survive in Lake Placid and Bangor, Maine, as well as in Lake George.
According to Joe DeSantis, there are more reasons to retain the brand than to abandon it.
“The Howard Johnson’s name still has a lot of appeal for many travelers,” DeSantis said. “Our breakfast business remains very strong.”
Moreover, DeSantis said, the brand’s new owners have announced plans to revive the popularity of Howard Johnson’s restaurants.’
“They want to reintroduce Howard Johnson’s ice cream and to open new restaurants,” DeSantis said. “We welcome that and any new standards they might introduce.”
The Lake George Howard Johnson’s also benefits from its proximity to DeSantis’ Hampton Inn and Suites, Lake George’s newest hotel, DeSantis said.
© 2013 Adirondack Resorts Press, Inc.